Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-19
THE DEMOCRATS POSITION.

Judge Baskin in his speech before the
Loyal League, while complimenting the
DEMOCRAT upon it's loyalty and ability
took occasion to express his non-concur'
renee with its policy in the consolidation
of the anti Mormon vote, under the new
law, against the common enemy. That
was his right, as it is the right OF every
citizen to voice his opinion upon all mat
ters of public interest. The DEMOCRAT
believes that its plan is the best one-that
it will result in polling more votes
against the Church and State tickets
throughout the Territory than by any
other method that could be adopted. All
it asks is that the matter shall be fairly
considered in connection with whatever
other proposit ons, which have been, or
NAV be presented. We court the fullest
discussion OF the question and will con-
duct our side with clndor and courtesy,
and will leave the decision to
the majority of the loyal element of the
Territory, submitting, as all true Demo
Gratis should, gracefully to what
ever the popular voice shall
decree. We claim, however, the
right to be heard and do not intend
to be coughed down or bullied into silence
by any faction, clique or partisan journal,
which arrogates to itself the divine right
to dictate, in its own selfish interests, the
political action of Utah's loyal voters.
With such gentlemen as Judges
Baskin and Bennett The DEMOCRAT
cannot, in the present condition
of political affairs, maintain any issue
beyond the line Of policy to be pursued
in the preliminary arrangements for the
general contest. In the battle we will
be fighting under the same banner and
for the same patriotic cause. No person
of ordinary intelligence or discernment
can fail to perceive that while the Church
and State element is a unit under the
dictation of its priestly rulers, the
loyal cause is liable to be han
dicapped by such partizan feelings
as cannot be controlled or suppressed by
other than party organization and
discipline The DEMOCRAT believes it is
wise to utilize that feeling if possible,
making it an element of strength rather
than weakness. 1t believes this can best
be accomplished by such organization as
will consolidate the membership of
the respective parties under their
own leaders, to be marched into
battle under single banner emblazoned
with the shibboleth, "Unity based upon
Equity" The English and French
troops fought no less bravely or effective
ly for a common cause in the Crimea, in
their respective uniforms and under their
own officers, than if mustered promiscu-
ously under the colors of either one of
those nations. We believe the same rule
will apply in the present political crisis
in Utah. The loyal forces have failed here
tofore under the old tactics. They may
accomplish something with a change. 1t
is at least worth the trial. We have had
enough of sentiment, now let us work for
results. The friendship of THE DEMOCRAT
for the Loyal League has been too
thoroughly and unselfshly demonstrated
to necessitate any further professions
of heartfelt sympathy in its legiti-
mate purposes. The contributions
of its principal owners, the advocacy
at all times of the principles and
designs of the organization; the free and
unlimited use of its columns to advertise
its meetings and disseminate such infor-
nation as would further its work, are all
too we'll known to admit of any question
concerning THE DEMOCRATS position upon
that point. This, too, without asking or
receiving a nickel's worth of the patron
age emoluments, which have been SO
freely and lavishly bestowed upon another
paper in this city. The League should
continue its organization. Its work is by
no means accomplished. Utah is far
from the point of political redemption.
Further Congressional legislation is nec-
essary to attain the end. Without the
assistance OF Congress the objective
point cannot be reached. There
should be no dissolution of the
League until our friends at Washing.
ton have succeeded in obtaining for us
such legislative action as will meet our
requirements. THE DEMOCRAT in the
future, as in the past, will advocate the
principles of the organization and the
purposes for which it was founded, as
enunciated in its constitution and bylaws.
1t will discountenance all attempts to
detract from its usefulness by factional
strife or the introduction of issues calcu-
lated to cause political division among its
membership. 1t will do this, freely
and voluntarily, and without stipu-
lating for such encouragement as
appears necessary to insure fealty in
another quarter. TUE DEMoCRA will do
this without compromising itself one
particle as a Democratic journal. In fact
it is directly in the line of its party princi-
Piles, and it could not act otherwise with
out repudiating the action of the Demo
cratic President and House of Represent
atives In the meantime it will continue
its advocacy of National Democratic
principles. 1t has "made place for it.
self" and it proposes TO make it larger. 1t
is aware that there is an element here,
numerically Insignificant. but extremely